On 10 October, a group of journalists made a study visit to three regional development projects from Centre Development Region. The goal of the event was to help journalists get acquainted with regional development projects under implementation in this region.
The study visit started with a press club organised at the Centre Regional Development Agency (RDA), attended by Viorel Jardan, director of Centre RDA and institution’s staff. Journalists were presented with details and information on the work, mission and projects implemented in the Centre Development Region. Viorel Jardan, director of Centre RDA mentioned that regional development and local services projects deserve to be highlighted, for: ‘…they are very important subjects affecting us all. Because, everybody needs quality water supply and sanitation, and solid waste management services, energy efficiency in public buildings, good roads or organised tourist attractions. It is very good for the population to be aware that there are development opportunities, good things which are done by RDAs in partnership with LPAs and development partners of the Republic of Moldova’.
Bardar village from Ialoveni rayon was the first visited locality, where currently construction works are carried out for the water supply and sewerage systems under the ‘Main water pipeline for Bardar, Rusestii Noi localities and sewerage network for Ialoveni town’ project. Here, the journalists met Anatolie Dimitriu, the president of Ialoveni rayon; Pavel Codreanu, mayor of Rusestii Noi village; project manager and contractor executing the works. The objective of this project is to increase access to drinking water and environment protection by means of an efficient sewerage system. Total costs of the project amount to MDL 33.4 million.
Pavel Codreanu, mayor of Rusestii Noi village: ‘This is a project we have been expecting for a while. The majority of waters on the territory of Rusestii Noi village is of poor quality. For instance, following the water tests in the wells in the locality, only in one well the water was drinkable. The main water pipeline and the connection of the village to quality drinking water will solve this issue’.
Tourism and Sports Complex from Costesti village, Ialoveni rayon was the next destination the group of journalists interested in regional development process headed to. This facility was constructed under the ‘Construction of Tourism and Sports Complex in Costesti’ project and according to the woman mayor Natalia Petrea, it targets ‘… development of tourism and sports life of the village and Ialoveni rayon overall. Costesti village has very good results in different sports, but at this moment we do not have a sports complex for those interested to come and practice… However, this Complex will have besides its sports value, also, a touristic value, especially in the context of boarding houses and tourist venues situated within Costesti village’. The total costs of the projects are MDL 32.4 million.
Further, the mass media representatives visited the Calarasi Rayon Hospital, which is being made efficient via the ‘Increasing Energy Efficiency (EE) in Calarasi Rayon Hospital’ project, financially supported by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ under the ‘Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ project. Total investment costs are of EUR 490.000. Here, the journalists had discussions with Sergiu Artene, president of Calarasi; Silvia Bobescu, director of Hospital; project manager and constructor executing the works.
According to Silvia Bobescu, the investment and support of the German Government are more than welcome, as ‘it will help renovate the boiler plant and install 3 new gas boilers. The current ones are very old and were commissioned back in 1975. Also, a very important detail is the installation of a solar thermal system, which will allow for the production of hot water for hospital needs’.
The study visit for the journalists in the Centre Development Region was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MARDE) and Centre Regional Development Region with the support of ‘Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ project, implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ.
Lilia Grubii, News Agency ‘Moldpres’: ‘This was a productive, interesting and really useful visit for the journalists tackling the regional subject. One of the advantages of this visit was the fact that the press representatives had the opportunity to get information on the spot on the carrying out of regional development projects, to visit the construction sites and talk with contractors and local authorities. We had all possibilities to discuss, ask questions and get documented answers’.
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The project ‘Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ (MLPS) is implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment and is financially supported by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union, the Romanian Government, the Swedish Government and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
